Madison mayors endorse Barrett in recall election

Democratic primary is May 8

Democratic candidate for governor Tom Barrett has received endorsements from Madison's mayor as well as the city's previous four mayors in the race to recall Republican Gov. Scott Walker.

Barrett's campaign said Sunday that Mayor Paul Soglin and former mayors Dave Cieslewicz, Sue Bauman, Joe Sensenbrenner and Joel Skornicka have all announced their support for Barrett in the recall election.

"I am so proud to have earned the backing of this diverse group of leaders," Barrett said in a news release. "These five mayors understand we need a partner in the governor's office who will work with, not against, local officials to create jobs, balance budgets and move our state forward. I am honored to have their support."

Last week, Barrett received his first endorsements from unions in the recall race. Barrett said he got the backing of the Amalgamated Transit Union, Operating Engineers Local 317, and the Iron Workers District Council of North Central States. Collectively the three unions represent about 5,000 people.

His rival Kathleen Falk has scored the biggest union endorsements to date, getting backing from the AFL-CIO, the largest statewide public workers union and the union representing teachers.

Both Barrett and Falk say they are committed to restoring collective bargaining rights that were taken away last year by a plan Walker introduced. That largely motivated the recall election.

Besides Falk and Barrett, state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout and Secretary of State Doug La Follette are also running as Democrats in the governor's race.

The Democratic primary is May 8 and the general election is June 5.

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